gamestalker
member
The easiest way to determine if the pockets have expanded beyond use is to measure them as you inspect them for other issues. However, resistance isn't the only factor to judge, as leaks can contribute to a total blow out. It doesn't take long to measure a pocket, and considering the risk involved by using those with dangerous issues, one would want to incorporate such steps into their reloading process as a matter of safety protocol.
Also, because of the leverage produced by presses and priming tools, it is easy to misjudge just how loose they may actually be. Obviously, if you can seat a primer with your thumb, they are no doubt unusable. Additionally, if you seat a primer .004" .006" below the case head, and it then springs back or simply won't stay put, it's obvious that brass is done. But there is the problem with pockets that are damaged or out of round that have created a risk of leaking too. I'll address that in more detail below.
In this respect, I load for a few high pressure cartridges, like .357 mag, 44 mag, 7mm RM, .270 win and so on. Anyway, back in my earlier years of reloading, I often had difficulty judging just how much pressure was considered as good or bad pockets, so I consulted a friend of mine who had created a tool to measure the actual pressure that was being exerted on the primer during seating. As it turned out, and I don't recall the actual foot pounds, but it was clear that what I thought of as loose, was in fact more than sufficient to seal under full pressure loads. That questionable brass back then that I had resistance measured on, included 44 mag, .357 mag ( H110 ( 296 loads) and 270 win., all were full tilt loads. The questionable bottle necks lived to see several more loadings before developing incipient head separations, the pockets never failed. As for the magnum pistol brass, it went on to live for many more runs before developing mouth splits, not pocket failure, before being retired. I have since developed a better feel for pocket resistance, and have really never experienced a pocket failure per say. The closest thing to a pocket failure I've ever experienced to date has been so minimal, that it required extremely close inspection to spot the leakage, and nothing was visible on the bolt faces. But even a small leak can lead to catastrophic primer failures, thus damaging the firearm and more importantly, the risk of serious injury.
For those who care to take the time, it is quite simple to test how much pressure the pocket and seated primer will hold. First it is necessary to determine what PSI represents a good pocket. This test is performed when the case is secured in the shell holder, and while in the press to prevent primers from becoming projectiles if they blow out. Once this has been done and assuming the primer stayed put, then just put some baby powder around the rim of the seated primer and watch for obvious leaks. Although I've never taken it this extreme, I have heard of it being done before. I stick to the feel I've developed for good and bad pockets, too much trouble for me. But for anyone interested, I'll talk to my friend and find out what he has determined to be the magic number.
I am a major stickler for safety, and even a bit OCD according to some who have talked shop with me. So I assure you I would never use brass that is of questionable integrity, ever.
GS
Also, because of the leverage produced by presses and priming tools, it is easy to misjudge just how loose they may actually be. Obviously, if you can seat a primer with your thumb, they are no doubt unusable. Additionally, if you seat a primer .004" .006" below the case head, and it then springs back or simply won't stay put, it's obvious that brass is done. But there is the problem with pockets that are damaged or out of round that have created a risk of leaking too. I'll address that in more detail below.
In this respect, I load for a few high pressure cartridges, like .357 mag, 44 mag, 7mm RM, .270 win and so on. Anyway, back in my earlier years of reloading, I often had difficulty judging just how much pressure was considered as good or bad pockets, so I consulted a friend of mine who had created a tool to measure the actual pressure that was being exerted on the primer during seating. As it turned out, and I don't recall the actual foot pounds, but it was clear that what I thought of as loose, was in fact more than sufficient to seal under full pressure loads. That questionable brass back then that I had resistance measured on, included 44 mag, .357 mag ( H110 ( 296 loads) and 270 win., all were full tilt loads. The questionable bottle necks lived to see several more loadings before developing incipient head separations, the pockets never failed. As for the magnum pistol brass, it went on to live for many more runs before developing mouth splits, not pocket failure, before being retired. I have since developed a better feel for pocket resistance, and have really never experienced a pocket failure per say. The closest thing to a pocket failure I've ever experienced to date has been so minimal, that it required extremely close inspection to spot the leakage, and nothing was visible on the bolt faces. But even a small leak can lead to catastrophic primer failures, thus damaging the firearm and more importantly, the risk of serious injury.
For those who care to take the time, it is quite simple to test how much pressure the pocket and seated primer will hold. First it is necessary to determine what PSI represents a good pocket. This test is performed when the case is secured in the shell holder, and while in the press to prevent primers from becoming projectiles if they blow out. Once this has been done and assuming the primer stayed put, then just put some baby powder around the rim of the seated primer and watch for obvious leaks. Although I've never taken it this extreme, I have heard of it being done before. I stick to the feel I've developed for good and bad pockets, too much trouble for me. But for anyone interested, I'll talk to my friend and find out what he has determined to be the magic number.
I am a major stickler for safety, and even a bit OCD according to some who have talked shop with me. So I assure you I would never use brass that is of questionable integrity, ever.
GS
. I just ran into another Federal case that had a loose pocket. I have some that need to have the crimp removed, and some pockets that are just like new. I can let you all know if it works for me or not.
